Conductor and method of manufacturing the same

ABSTRACT

A conductor includes (i) a substrate, (ii) a transparent conductive film formed on the substrate and including a silver nanowire, (iii) a metal film formed over the transparent conductive film such that at least a portion thereof overlaps the transparent conductive film, and (iv) a buffer film provided between the transparent conductive film and the metal film, the buffer film having adhesion to each of the transparent conductive film and the metal film, and not impeding conductivity between the transparent conductive film and the metal film. Preferably, the buffer film is formed of an organic material having respective functional groups capable of bonding to the transparent conductive film and the metal film.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application is a Divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/685,964, filed on Apr. 14, 2015, which is a Continuation ofInternational Application No. PCT/JP2013/080089 filed on Nov. 7, 2013,which claims benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-245978filed on Nov. 8, 2012. The entire contents of each application notedabove are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to adhesion between a transparentconductive film including silver nanowires and a metal film.

2. Description of the Related Art

In Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2010-507199, aconductor in which a transparent conductive film including silvernanowires is formed on a substrate is disclosed.

However, the silver nanowires are dispersed in the transparentconductive film (refer to [0053], [0054], [0103], [0104], and the likein Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2010-507199).In order to secure dispersibility as described above, the silvernanowires are held in a transparent resin, and the surface of thetransparent conductive film practically becomes an organic film.

Therefore, when a metal film is formed on the transparent conductivefilm, there is a problem in that adhesion between the transparentconductive film and the metal film is insufficient and thus the metalfilm is easily separated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a conductor capable of enhancing adhesionbetween a transparent conductive film and a metal film, and a method ofmanufacturing the same.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided aconductor including: a substrate; a transparent conductive film which isformed on the substrate and includes a silver nanowire; and a metal filmof which at least a portion is formed to overlap the transparentconductive film, in which a portion in which the transparent conductivefilm and the metal film overlap each other includes a buffer film whichhas adhesion to each of the transparent conductive film and the metalfilm and does not impede conduction between the transparent conductivefilm and the metal film.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda method of manufacturing a conductor, including: a step of forming, ona transparent conductive film including a silver nanowire formed on asubstrate, a buffer film which has adhesion to each of the transparentconductive film and a metal film that is formed in a subsequent step anddoes not impede conduction between the transparent conductive film andthe metal film; and a step of forming at least a portion of the metalfilm on the buffer film.

According to the aspects of the present invention, since the buffer filmwhich has adhesion to each of the transparent conductive film and themetal film and does not impede the conduction between the transparentconductive film and the metal film is interposed between the transparentconductive film and the metal film, the adhesion between the transparentconductive film and the metal film can be enhanced while maintaininggood conductivity therebetween.

In addition, in the present invention, it is preferable that the bufferfilm is formed of a transparent metal oxide. It is preferable that thetransparent metal oxide is ITO. Accordingly, the adhesion between thetransparent conductive film and the metal film can be effectivelyenhanced.

In addition, in the present invention, it is preferable that reversesputtering is performed on an upper surface of the transparentconductive film, and the buffer film is formed on the upper surface.That is, it is preferable that the upper surface of the transparentconductive film is a reverse-sputtered surface and the buffer film isformed on the reverse-sputtered surface. Accordingly, the adhesionbetween the transparent conductive film and the metal film can be moreeffectively enhanced.

Otherwise, in the present invention, it is preferable that the bufferfilm is an organic material having a functional group which is bonded toeach of the transparent conductive film and the metal film. At thistime, it is preferable that the organic material is a triazine compoundhaving an alkoxy group and a thiol group, or an alkoxy group and anazide group.

In addition, the triazine compound has a structure shown in Chem. 5 orChem. 6.

Accordingly, the adhesion between the transparent conductive film andthe metal film can be effectively enhanced.

In addition, in the present invention, it is preferable that a heattreatment step is performed on the buffer film. Accordingly, theadhesion between the transparent conductive film and the metal film canbe more effectively enhanced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B are longitudinal sectional views of a conductor in anembodiment, and FIG. 1C is an enlarged schematic view illustrating aportion of the conductor;

FIG. 2 is a diagram (longitudinal sectional view) illustrating a processin a method of manufacturing the conductor in this embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a diagram (longitudinal sectional view) of a process performedsubsequent to FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a diagram (longitudinal sectional view) of a process performedsubsequent to FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a diagram (longitudinal sectional view) of a process performedsubsequent to FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a diagram (longitudinal sectional view) of a process performedsubsequent to FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1A is a longitudinal sectional view of a conductor in anembodiment.

A conductor 1 illustrated in FIG. 1A is configured to include atransparent substrate 2, transparent conductive films 3 which are formedon an upper surface 2 a of the transparent substrate 2, buffer films 4which are formed on the transparent conductive films 3, and metal films5 which are formed on the buffer films 4.

The conductor 1 may have a film shape having flexibility, and may alsohave a plate shape or a panel shape having high stiffness.

In this specification, “transparency” and “light-transmitting property”indicate a state where the visible light transmittance is 50% or higher(preferably 80% or higher).

In FIG. 1A, the transparent conductive films 3 are patterned on thetransparent substrate 2 in a transparent electrode shape. Thetransparent conductive film 3 may be partially formed on the transparentsubstrate 2 by being patterned as illustrated in FIG. 1A, and may alsobe formed on the entire upper surface 2 a of the transparent substrate2. In addition, the transparent conductive films 3 are illustrated in astate of being separated from each other at a position of thelongitudinal section illustrated in FIG. 1A. However, the transparentconductive films 3 may also be integrally formed or be electricallyconnected to each other via other conductive films at positions that arenot illustrated.

The use of the conductor 1 illustrated in FIG. 1A is not limited. Forexample, the conductor 1 is used as a part of an input display device.For example, a liquid crystal display or the like is disposed on thelower side of the conductor 1, and the center portion in the transparentconductive films 3 illustrated in FIG. 1A, where the metal films 5 arenot disposed, serves as an input display portion. Accordingly, thetransparent conductive films 3 positioned in the center portion are, forexample, transparent electrodes which generate a change in capacitancebetween the transparent conductive films 3 and an operating body such asa finger. In addition, portions on the transparent conductive films 3which are positioned on both sides of FIG. 1A and overlap the metalfilms 5 are non-display regions, and for example, form wiring portionswhich are electrically connected to the transparent electrodes in thecenter portion.

A configuration in which a display panel is disposed on the surface ofthe conductor 1 illustrated in FIG. 1A via a transparent adhesive layer(not illustrated) may also be employed. Furthermore, the lower surfaceside of the transparent substrate 2 illustrated in FIG. 1A may serve asan input operation surface.

The transparent substrate 2 illustrated in FIG. 1A is formed of afilm-shaped transparent substrate such as polyethylene terephthalate(PET), a glass substrate, or the like. The material of the transparentsubstrate 2 is not particularly limited. In addition, although thetransparent substrate 2 is used in FIG. 1A, a substrate which is nottransparent, for example, a translucent substrate may also be used.

The transparent conductive film 3 illustrated in FIG. 1A is atransparent conductive film which includes silver nanowires. Asillustrated in FIG. 1C, a silver nanowire 6 has a line-shaped structurewhich is made of silver or a silver alloy. As illustrated in FIG. 1C,the silver nanowires 6 are present in a transparent resin layer 7 in adispersed manner, and conductivity in the surface is maintained bycontact between portions of the silver nanowires 6.

As illustrated in FIG. 1C, the silver nanowires 6 are dispersed in thetransparent resin layer 7. The dispersibility of the silver nanowire 6is maintained by the resin layer 7. The material of the resin layer 7 isnot particularly limited, and for example, the resin layer 7 is made ofa polyester resin, an acrylic resin, or a polyurethane resin.

As illustrated in FIG. 1A, the metal films 5 are formed on thetransparent conductive films 3 which are positioned on both sides of thetransparent substrate 2 among the transparent conductive films 3, viathe buffer films 4. The buffer film 4 is an intermediate film which hasadhesion to each of the transparent conductive film 3 and the metal film5 and does not impede conduction between the transparent conductive film3 and the metal film 5.

The metal film 5 is, for example, a Cu film. Particularly, the bufferfilm 4 can enhance the adhesion between the metal film 5 and thetransparent conductive film 3 including the silver nanowires. Inaddition, the material of the metal film 5 is not particularly limited,and Al, Ag, Au, Ni, or the like other than Cu may also be selected.

In FIG. 1A, the buffer film 4 is provided only between the transparentconductive film 3 and the metal film 5. However, as illustrated in FIG.1B, the buffer film 4 may remain on the upper surface of the transparentconductive film 3 which does not overlap the metal film 5. According toa manufacturing method which will be described later, the portions ofthe buffer films 4 which do not overlap the metal films 5 can be removedby an etching process. Otherwise, depending on etching conditions suchas an etchant which is used, the portions of the buffer films 4 which donot overlap the metal film 5 may be allowed to remain on the uppersurfaces of the transparent conductive films 3. At this time, the bufferfilm 4 is a very thin transparent film, and thus a goodlight-transmitting property can be secured even when the buffer film 4remains on the transparent conductive film 3.

It is preferable that the buffer film 4 is made of a transparent metaloxide. As the transparent metal oxide, an inorganic transparentconductive material such as ITO (indium tin oxide), ZnO, or SnO₂ may beused, and among these, it is particularly preferable to select ITO.Accordingly, the adhesion between the transparent conductive film 3 andthe metal film 5 can be effectively enhanced.

In addition, it is appropriate that reverse sputtering is performed onan upper surface 3 a (see FIG. 1C) of the transparent conductive film 3,and thereafter the buffer film 4 which is made of the transparent metaloxide (particularly, ITO) is formed on the upper surface 3 a which isthe reverse-sputtered surface. Reverse sputtering indicates a method ofreforming the surface by generating plasma in the vicinity of thesurface of the transparent conductive film 3 in an inert gas atmosphereor the like. Reverse sputtering is performed by reversing the voltagebetween a target and a substrate, which is applied during typicalsputtering.

The upper surface 3 a of the transparent conductive film 3 is reformedby the reverse sputtering so that the adhesion between the transparentconductive film 3 and the metal film 5 via the buffer film 4 can beeffectively enhanced. It is thought that due to the reverse sputtering,the amount (exposure area) of the silver nanowires 6 which are made ofmetal and are exposed from the upper surface 3 a of the transparentconductive film 3 is increased, or the upper surface 3 a of thetransparent conductive film 3 is appropriately roughened.

It is preferable that the thickness of the buffer film 4 made of theabove-mentioned transparent metal oxide (particularly, ITO) is about 2nm to 100 nm. In addition, in a case where the buffer film 4 made of thetransparent metal oxide (particularly, ITO) is formed without performingthe reverse sputtering on the upper surface 3 a of the transparentconductive film 3, the thickness of the buffer film 4 is preferablyabout 20 nm to 100 nm. Accordingly, the adhesion between the transparentconductive film 3 and the metal film 5 can be effectively enhanced.

In addition, it is preferable that reverse sputtering is performed on anupper surface 4 a (see FIG. 1C) of the buffer film 4 and thereafter themetal film 5 is formed thereon.

Accordingly, the adhesion between the transparent conductive film 3including the silver nanowires and the metal film 5 can be moreeffectively enhanced. In addition, conductivity between the transparentconductive film 3 and the metal film 5 via the buffer film 4 can bemaintained at a good level.

Otherwise, the buffer film 4 may be made of an organic material having afunctional group which is bonded to each of the transparent conductivefilm 3 and the metal film 5. The film thickness of the buffer film 4 isvery small due to a process which will be described later, and thetransparent conductive film 3 and the metal film 5 are in a state ofbeing electrically connected to each other via the buffer film 4.Otherwise, the buffer film 4 is intermittently formed on the uppersurface 3 a of the transparent conductive film 3, and the transparentconductive film 3 and the metal film 5 are in a state of beingelectrically connected to each other via the buffer film 4.

It is preferable that the above-mentioned organic material is a triazinecompound having an alkoxy group and a thiol group, or an alkoxy groupand an azide group. Specifically, it is appropriate that the triazinecompound has a structure shown in Chem. 7 or Chem. 8 as follows.

Accordingly, the adhesion between the transparent conductive film andthe metal film can be effectively enhanced.

In addition, it is preferable that a heat treatment is performed on theorganic material in order to more effectively enhance the adhesion. Itis appropriate that the heat treatment is performed at about 100° C. forseveral to tens of minutes. The heat treatment may be performed duringthe process of forming the buffer film 4 using the triazine compoundshown in Chemical Formula 7 or Chemical Formula 8 shown above, or may beperformed after the process of forming the buffer film 4 (any of before,during, and after the formation of the metal film 5).

FIGS. 2 to 6 are diagrams (longitudinal sectional views) illustratingprocesses in a method of manufacturing the conductor 1 in thisembodiment.

In the process illustrated in FIG. 2, the buffer film 4 is formed on theupper surface 3 a of the transparent conductive film 3 which is formedon the transparent substrate 2 such as PET and includes the silvernanowires. The buffer film 4 has adhesion to both the transparentconductive film 3 and the metal film 5 which will be formed in thesubsequent process, and has a function of not impeding the conductionbetween the transparent conductive film 3 and the metal film 5.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the transparent conductive film 3 is formed onsubstantially the entire upper surface 2 a of the transparent substrate2. Here, the transparent conductive film 3 may also be partially formedon the upper surface 2 a of the transparent substrate 2 at the initialstage.

A conductive substrate in which the transparent conductive film 3including the silver nanowires is formed on the transparent substrate 2in advance may be prepared, or the transparent conductive film 3 may beformed on the transparent substrate 2 by applying a coating liquidincluding the silver nanowires onto the transparent substrate 2 andperforming a predetermined heat treatment thereon.

It is preferable that the buffer film 4 illustrated in FIG. 2 is formedof the transparent metal oxide. In addition, it is more preferable thatthe transparent metal oxide is formed of ITO. Furthermore, it ispreferable that the reverse sputtering is performed on the upper surface3 a of the transparent conductive film 3 and thereafter the buffer film4 made of the transparent metal oxide (particularly, ITO) is formed onthe upper surface 3 a by an existing method such as a sputtering method.As for the reverse sputtering conditions, the pressure is controlled tobe about 50 mTorr to 500 mTorr and the power is controlled to be 0.01mW/cm² to 10 mW/cm² in an inert atmosphere such as Ar or a vacuumatmosphere.

Otherwise, the buffer film 4 may also be formed of an organic materialhaving a functional group which is bonded to each of the transparentconductive film 3 and the metal film 5 formed in the process of FIG. 3.At this time, it is preferable that the above-described organic materialis formed of a triazine compound having an alkoxy group and a thiolgroup, or an alkoxy group and an azide group. Specifically, it ispreferable that the organic material is formed of the triazine compoundhaving the structure shown in Chemical Formula 7 or Chemical Formula 8shown above. In addition, it is preferable that a heat treatment isperformed on the organic material. The heat treatment may be performedduring the process of forming the organic material or after the processof forming the organic material, for example, after the formation of themetal film 5 in the process of FIG. 3.

The formation of the buffer film 4 using the organic material isperformed through an immersion process of a liquid containing theorganic material, a cleaning process, a drying process, and the like.

In FIG. 2, the buffer film 4 is formed on the entire upper surface 3 aof the transparent conductive film 3. However, the buffer film 4 mayalso be formed only on a predetermined region of the upper surface 3 aof the transparent conductive film 3 in the process of FIG. 2.

In the process illustrated in FIG. 3, the metal film 5 is formed on thebuffer film 4 by an existing method such as a sputtering method. In FIG.3, the metal film 5 is formed on the entire upper surface 4 a of thebuffer film 4, and may also be formed only on a predetermined region.

It is preferable that the metal film 5 is formed of a Cu film.

Subsequently, a resist layer 8 is applied to an upper surface 5 a of themetal film 5. A prebaking treatment or an exposing and developingtreatment is performed on the resist layer 8 such that the resist layer8 having a pattern illustrated in FIG. 3 remains.

Subsequently, in the process illustrated in FIG. 4, the metal film 5which is not covered by the resist layer 8 is removed by etching. By theetchant used at this time, the buffer film 4 which is exposed throughthe removal of the metal film 5 may be removed. Accordingly, asillustrated in FIG. 4, the surface of the transparent conductive film 3is in a state of being exposed. In addition, in the process of FIG. 4,the exposed buffer film 4 may not be removed by etching.

Next, in the process of FIG. 5, the resist layer 8 is removed, and aresist layer 9 is subsequently applied to the entire surface. Aprebaking treatment or an exposing and developing treatment is performedon the resist layer 9 such that the resist layer 9 having a patternillustrated in FIG. 5 remains.

Subsequently, in FIG. 6, the metal film 5 which is not covered by theresist layer 9 is removed by etching. At this time, the buffer film 4which is exposed through the removal of the metal film 5 may also beremoved by the etching process.

Furthermore, by removing the resist layer 9, the conductor 1 illustratedin FIG. 6 is completed.

In the manufacturing method described above, the metal film 5 is formedon the transparent conductive film 3 via the buffer film 4. Accordingly,the adhesion between the transparent conductive film 3 including thesilver nanowires and the metal film 5 can be effectively enhanced.

In FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, a configuration in which the entire metal film5 overlaps the transparent conductive film 3 and the buffer film 4 isinterposed therebetween in a portion in which the transparent conductivefilm 3 and the metal film 5 overlap each other is illustrated.

Here, a configuration in which a portion of the metal film 5 overlapsthe transparent conductive film 3 and the buffer film 4 is interposedtherebetween in the overlapping portion may also be employed.

EXAMPLES

In an experiment, conductors of Comparative Examples 1 to 4 and Examples1 to 8 were formed.

In all of the conductors, a common conductive substrate in which atransparent conductive film including silver nanowires is formed on atransparent substrate was used, and a Cu film having a film thickness of150 nm was further formed as a metal film.

TABLE 1 Cross-cut test results Pre-treatment conditions Edge CenterComparative Absent C C Example 1 Comparative UV-ozone C C Example 2Comparative Excimer UV C C Example 3 Comparative Only reverse sputteringC C Example 4 Example 1 ITO buffer film (20 nm) B B Example 2 ITO bufferfilm (100 nm) B B Example 3 Reverse sputtering & ITO buffer film (2 A Anm) Example 4 Reverse sputtering & ITO buffer film (20 A A nm) Example 5Reverse sputtering & ITO buffer film (100 A A nm) Example 6 Reversesputtering & ITO buffer film (20 A A mm) => leaving in atmosphere 

reverse sputtering Example 7 TES treatment A A Example 8 P-TES treatmentA A

As shown in Table 1, in Comparative Example 1, before forming the metalfilm (Cu film), a pre-treatment was not performed on the transparentconductive film.

In addition, as shown in Table 1, in Comparative Example 2, the surfaceof the transparent conductive film was subjected to a surface treatmentby UV-ozone, and thereafter the metal film (Cu film) was formed. Inaddition, in Comparative Example 3, an excimer UV treatment wasperformed on the surface of the transparent conductive film, andthereafter metal film (Cu film) was formed.

In addition, in Examples 1 and 2, reverse sputtering was not performedon the upper surface of the transparent conductive film.

As shown in Table 1, in Example 1, a buffer film made of ITO was formedon the upper surface of the transparent conductive film including thesilver nanowires to a film thickness of 20 nm, and thereafter the metalfilm (Cu film) was formed on the buffer film. In addition, in Example 2,a buffer film made of ITO was formed on the upper surface of thetransparent conductive film including the silver nanowires to a filmthickness of 100 nm, and thereafter the metal film (Cu film) was formedon the buffer film.

In addition, as shown in Table 1, in Example 3, after reverse sputteringwas performed on the upper surface of the transparent conductive filmincluding the silver nanowires, a buffer film made of ITO was formed onthe upper surface to a film thickness of 2 nm, and the metal film (Cufilm) was subsequently formed on the buffer film. In addition, inExample 4, after reverse sputtering was performed on the upper surfaceof the transparent conductive film including the silver nanowires, abuffer film made of ITO was formed on the upper surface to a filmthickness of 20 nm, and the metal film (Cu film) was subsequently formedon the buffer film. In addition, in Example 5, after reverse sputteringwas performed on the upper surface of the transparent conductive filmincluding the silver nanowires, a buffer film made of ITO was formed onthe upper surface to a film thickness of 100 nm, and the metal film (Cufilm) was subsequently formed on the buffer film. In addition, inExample 6, after reverse sputtering was performed on the upper surfaceof the transparent conductive film including the silver nanowires, abuffer film made of ITO was formed on the upper surface to a filmthickness of 20 nm. Subsequently, the resultant was removed from thesputtering device once and was left in the atmosphere for about one day.Thereafter, the resultant was put into the sputtering device again, thesputtering device was evacuated, reverse sputtering was performed on theupper surface of the buffer film, and then the metal film (Cu film) wasformed on the buffer film.

As for the reverse sputtering conditions described above, in any of theabove cases, the pressure was set to about 200 mTorr and the power wasset to about 5 mW/cm² in an inert atmosphere (in Ar).

In addition, in Example 7, a buffer film made of the triazine compound(hereinafter, referred to as TES) expressed by Chemical Formula 7 shownabove was formed on the upper surface of the transparent conductive filmincluding the silver nanowires, and the metal film (Cu film) wassubsequently formed on the buffer film. In Example 7, the buffer filmwas formed through the processes of immersion in a (3%) aqueous solutionof KOH, rinsing with H₂O, immersion in a TES/ethanol liquid, rinsingwith H₂O, and a hot plate (80° C.) (TES treatment). Furthermore, afterforming the metal film, a heat treatment was performed thereon at 100°C. for 10 minutes.

In addition, in Example 8, a buffer film made of the triazine compound(hereinafter, referred to as P-TES) expressed by Chemical Formula 8shown above was formed on the upper surface of the transparentconductive film including the silver nanowires, and the metal film (Cufilm) was subsequently formed on the buffer film. In Example 8, thebuffer film was formed through the processes of immersion in P-TES/IPA(0.1%), drying with a dryer, UV irradiation, and rinsing with ethanol(P-TES treatment). Furthermore, after forming the metal film, a heattreatment was performed thereon at 100° C. for 10 minutes.

In addition, a cross-cut test (JIS K 5600-5-6) was performed on each ofthe samples of Comparative Examples 1 to 4 and Examples 1 to 8. Thecross-cut test was performed on the center and the edge of each of thesamples.

Here, A shown in Table 1 is the result of a case where no separation hadoccurred, B is the result of a case where separation was very partiallyseen, and C is the result of a case where separation was seen over theentire area.

As shown in Table 1, it was seen that Examples had better results in thecross-cut test than those of Comparative Examples, and had good adhesionbetween the transparent conductive film including the silver nanowiresand the metal film (Cu film).

In addition, as shown in Table 1, it was seen that Examples 3 to 6 hadobtained better adhesion than Examples 1 and 2. Therefore, it was seenthat, by forming the buffer film made of ITO after performing reversesputtering on the surface of the transparent conductive film, theadhesion between the transparent conductive film and the metal filmcould be more effectively enhanced. Furthermore, it was seen that, as inExample 6, even when the buffer film was left in the atmosphere onceafter being formed, the adhesion could be effectively enhanced byperforming reverse sputtering on the upper surface of the buffer film.

In both of Example 7 in which the TES treatment was performed andExample 8 in which the P-TES treatment was performed, the heat treatmentwas performed, and thus it was seen that good adhesion could beobtained.

Next, in Comparative Example 1 in which the pre-treatment was notperformed, Example 9 in which the TES treatment was performed, andExample 10 in which the P-TES treatment was performed, elements of thesurface of the transparent conductive film and the composition ratiosthereof were obtained by XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy). Theresults are shown in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Detection element & composition ratio (at %) C N O Ag Si OthersComparative 49.89 1.36 15.64 0.16 — 32.95 Example 1 Example 9 64.51 5.9725.06 0.11 1.63 2.72 Example 10 61.36 14.52 20.69 0.19 2.58 0.39

As shown in Table 2, in Example 9 and Example 10, Si included in thetreatment liquid was detected.

In addition, in Example 9 and Example 10, a small amount of Ag that wasdetected in Comparative Example 1 in which the pre-treatment was notperformed was detected.

From this, it was seen that by performing the TES treatment of Example 9or performing the P-TES treatment of Example 10, the buffer film made ofthe organic material (triazine compound) was formed on the upper surfaceof the transparent conductive film. In addition, it is thought that thebuffer film is very thin or is intermittently formed.

In addition, in Comparative Example 1, Example 9, and Example 10, hazevalues, Tt values (transmittances), and sheet resistances were measured.The results are shown in Table 3 as follows.

TABLE 3 Tt Sheet resistance Haze [%] [Ω/□] Comparative 0.99 91.34 65.125Example 1 Example 9 1.29 91.1 62.625 Example 10 1.08 92.26 64.25

In addition, regarding the sheet resistance, a silver paste was appliedto a region at 5 mm from both ends of a sheet in a size of 25 mm×50 mm,the resultant was baked at 120° C. for 30 minutes, and the bulkresistance thereof was obtained.

As shown in Table 3, each of the haze values, the Tt values, and thesheet resistances in the samples were substantially the same. Asdescribed above, it was seen that, in Examples, the adhesion between thetransparent conductive film and the metal film could be enhanced whilemaintaining various properties such as the light-transmitting propertyand conductivity.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occurdepending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they arewithin the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A conductor for an input display device, theconductor having an input display region and a non-display region, theconductor comprising: a substrate; and a patterned transparentconductive film formed on the substrate, the transparent conductive filmhaving a first portion thereof formed in the input display region and asecond portion thereof formed in the non-display region, the transparentconductive film including a silver nanowire, wherein the input displayregion of the conductor comprises: a plurality of transparent electrodesformed of the first portion of the transparent conductive film, theplurality of transparent electrodes being separated from one anotherwith a space therebetween; and a respective film formed on each of theplurality of transparent electrodes, the respective film being made of atransparent conductive metal oxide, wherein the non-display region ofthe conductor comprises: the second portion of the transparentconductive film, the second portion including a plurality of wiringpatterns separated from one another with a distance therebetween; ametal film formed over the second portion of the transparent conductivefilm such that a portion thereof overlaps the second portion of thetransparent conductive film; and a buffer film provided between thesecond portion of the transparent conductive film and the metal film,the buffer film being made of the transparent conductive metal oxide andhaving adhesion to each of the transparent conductive film and the metalfilm, and not impeding conductivity between the patterned transparentconductive film and the metal film, thereby forming a plurality ofwiring portions corresponding to the plurality of wiring patterns of thetransparent conductive film, each wiring portion including the metalfilm, the buffer film, and the second portion of the transparentconductive film, the plurality of wiring portions being separated fromone another with a space therebetween, and wherein the metal film is notdisposed in the input display region, whereby the input display regionserves as an input display area for the input device.
 2. The conductoraccording to claim 1, wherein the metal film is formed of Cu.
 3. Theconductor according to claim 1, wherein an upper surface of thetransparent conductive film is a reverse-sputtered surface, and thebuffer film is formed on the reverse-sputtered surface.
 4. The conductoraccording to claim 1, wherein the buffer film has a thickness of 2 nm to100 nm.
 5. A method of manufacturing a conductor for an input displaydevice, the conductor having an input display region and a non-displayregion, the method comprising: providing a substrate having atransparent conductive film including a silver nanowire formed thereon,the transparent conductive film being formed in the input display regionand the non-display region; forming a buffer film made of a transparentmetal oxide on the transparent conductive film; and forming a metal filmon the buffer film formed on the transparent conductive film, the bufferfilm having adhesion to each of the transparent conductive film and themetal film, and not impeding conductivity between the transparentconductive film and the metal film; patterning the metal film, thebuffer film, and the transparent conductive film, thereby: forming inthe input display region a plurality of transparent electrodes formed ofa first portion of the transparent conductive film formed in the displayregion, the plurality of transparent electrodes being separated from oneanother with a space therebetween, each of the plurality of transparentelectrodes being provided with a respective film made of the transparentmetal oxide formed thereon, the input display region not having themetal film disposed therein, thereby serving as an input display areafor the input display device; and forming in the non-display region aplurality of wiring portions each including the metal film, the bufferfilm, and a second portion of the transparent conductive film formed inthe non-display region, the second portion of the transparent conductivefilm including a plurality of wiring patterns corresponding to theplurality of wiring portions which are separated from one another with aspace therebetween.
 6. The method of manufacturing a conductor accordingto claim 5, further comprising: performing reverse sputtering on anupper surface of the transparent conductive film, the buffer film beingformed on the upper surface.
 7. The method according to claim 5, whereinthe buffer film has a thickness of 2 nm to 100 nm.